The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

"After that, the kingdom gave me a stipend and then ordered me to retire, since my body could no longer fight."

Indeed, given such a coincidence, it's inevitable that he would be met with disdain from many people... Morian felt deep sympathy for him.

Often, when the entire team is wiped out and only one survivor remains, that survivor will inevitably be suspected; there's nothing that can be done about it.

He didn't say much about it, instead steer the conversation in another direction:

"Mr. Gavin, I've noticed that your physical features seem somewhat different. I've heard you're a descendant of people from the Southern Continent?"

"Yes," Gavin nodded, his expression calm and certain.

"My mother is a Hilan, and my father is a Puen from the Southern Continent, so I am considered to be half Puen."

"Puen people?" Charlotte repeated softly. "No wonder Mr. Gavin, your skin has a healthy bronze tan."

"But that's precisely why others can see that I'm different at a glance," Gavin said with a wry smile.

Just then, several dishes were served to the table by the waiters, and the aroma of the food filled the air. At Morian's signal, the group began to eat.

He didn't continue asking questions, but instead waited until the other person had finished eating and drinking before taking advantage of the free time to ask those key questions. This was also a basic courtesy.

Gavin ate very seriously and very quickly, as if he were a wild beast that had only endured several days of hunger and had never eaten before.

No one disturbed him during this time, until he finished most of the food, picked up the beer and took a big gulp, and a comfortable and satisfied look appeared on his face.

"Honestly, I have to thank you. This is the best meal I've had in recent years." Gavin put down his glass, all his wariness gone.

"Of course," Morian said with a smile, taking a sip of tea.

Seeing that the other person had almost finished eating, he asked again:

"You have served in the Royal Knights for many years, so you must have some understanding of the royal family. Therefore, I would like to ask you something."

"Of course, feel free to ask me anything you want to know," Gavin agreed without hesitation.

"Have you ever heard of the royal family's 'dedication ceremony'?"

Upon hearing this question, Gavin's confident expression instantly froze. After thinking for a few seconds, he replied:

"...I'm sorry, I've never heard of such a ceremony."

As if realizing his answer wasn't quite right, he thoughtfully added:

"However, I have a similar sacrificial tradition in my hometown in the Southern Continent, but it was an ancient tribe that made up a legend to consolidate their rule. It is said that one can gain power by sacrificing members of a specific bloodline."

Morian and Charlotte exchanged a glance, both able to discern a strange expression in each other's eyes.

Clearly, the effects of the two rituals are too similar.

Is it a coincidence or...?

"Why do you want to know this?" Gavin asked, his expression turning serious. "If I could know the specific reason, perhaps I could provide more accurate information."

As for the specific reasons... well, judging from the other party's attitude towards the Knights, revealing a little bit would be the best option.

After a moment's hesitation, Morian decided to reveal some information:

"Because according to my information, the second prince, Raymond, is about to hold a 'dedication ceremony,' which, according to them, is a royal tradition since ancient times."

???

Is this even possible?

After hearing these words, Gavin's confusion deepened, and he didn't even notice that his glass was empty.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then slightly opened his mouth to offer his opinion:

"This doesn't sound right... I've served in the Knights for twelve years and have never heard of such a tradition."

"But your mention of the Second Prince reminds me of something. About three years ago, the commander of the Imperial Guard Division, Levim Cons, contacted me privately."

Morian raised an eyebrow and pressed on, "What did he want with you?"

"He asked me if I could contact the wizards of the Southern Continent, those charlatans who are best at performing hidden curses and sacrificial rituals."

Seemingly under the influence of alcohol, Gavin rubbed his head, recalling the scene.

"Thinking about it carefully, if the Second Prince's subordinate, Levim, is looking for a wizard, then these two things might be related."

A wizard skilled in curses… Morian fell silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the wooden table.

According to Gavin, the entire "dedication ceremony" plan is full of doubts and the possibility of conspiracy.

"Mr. Gavin, is the wizard's curse you speak of capable of causing someone to gradually weaken and cough up blood, appearing as if they've fallen ill naturally?"

Gavin paused briefly, then replied affirmatively:

"Of course, and there will be no spiritual fluctuations throughout the process. Therefore, many of these wizards who harmed people have been secretly executed by the Kingdom of Puen."

After he finished speaking, Morian's expression immediately turned somewhat ugly, and his suspicions about Raymond deepened.

Not only that, Charlotte's expression gradually turned to shock.

Seeing Morian remain silent, Gavin, recalling the past, continued:

"Furthermore, I discovered a strange phenomenon during my service, I don't know if it's worth mentioning."

"Please speak," Morian nodded without hesitation.

"Regarding the previous prince, who is now His Majesty the King, he was one of his brothers."

"In my memory, he passed away after being bedridden for several months due to illness, and this story was widely circulated at the time."

He paused, his brow furrowed.

"But about five years ago, when I talked about this with several members of the Knights, they all insisted that the prince died in an accident, and unanimously believed that he died in a hunting accident."

"Later I checked the relevant information and found that all the records said it was an accidental death. Even if I asked higher-ranking military officers or ordinary people, they all said it was a hunting accident."

Both are seriously ill... This is really too strange... Morian nodded, signaling him to continue.

Gavin, with a complex expression, revealed:

"At first I thought I was mistaken, but if one person's memory can be wrong, how could everyone's memories be so consistently wrong? And the wrong content be exactly the same?"

"So, are you sure you haven't misremembered?" Morian asked slowly.

"Yes, I am quite certain that the former prince died of illness." Gavin took a deep breath and looked directly into his eyes.

Judging from the other party's attitude, they undoubtedly believed in what they had seen.

But this is exactly the same question that Morian had in mind.

Why didn't anyone notice the inconsistency? Even if the royal family was pretending, did the ordinary people also get it wrong?

Why is it that only this retired knight gave a different answer?